FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Parklet Constructed in Downtown Columbia

Columbia Parks and Recreation invites citizens to visit the City's first urban parklet. It is located at the intersection of Ninth and Cherry Streets downtown.

The parklet was built and installed by Parks and Recreation staff in recognition of Bike, Walk and Wheel Week. It will be in place until Friday, May 17.

Parklets, which are essentially postage-stamp sized mini parks, are becoming more popular around the country.

"Parklets have really evolved from an urban activist role for livable streets to more of a city planning strategy," said Mike Griggs, Parks and Recreation Director. "City leaders around the nation are finding that parklets provide measurable benefits of creating public spaces for people to congregate, relax and enjoy the city."

The parklet trend started in San Francisco in 2005 as a way to make streets more livable by converting parking spaces into public places. Parklets are usually designed with a raised platform to fit the height of the curb and are filled with design elements such as sod, planters, benches, cafe tables, trees or sculptures.